2005 Audi A8 Preview

Flagship's Facelift Adds to Audi Controversy

Like it or lump it, Audi's new look is going big. The bold new nose with the large, trapezoidal 'in-your-face' grille, first

Like it or lump it, Audi's new look, with its 'in-your-face' grille, is going big. (Photo: Audi Canada)

introduced on the Nuvolari coupe concept back in 2002, has become the new corporate face for Audi, and starting now, it will be featured on all models of the A8 luxury sedan.

The decision, confirmed at this year's Geneva Motor Show, comes as an early update for Audi's top-of-the-line flagship sedan, which debuted in late 2002 as a 2003 model. Though most people associate the "Nuvolari Nose" with the new-generation A6 and the new VW Golf-sized A3 Sportback, the $169,500 A8 W12 L was the first production car to receive the bold look. Since then, the aforementioned cars as well as the facelifted A4 Sedan and Avant wagon have received the treatment.

Despite being the first vehicle that the nose was offered on, this special treatment was reserved for the top-tier W12 models

The $169,500 A8 W12 L was the first production car to receive the bold look. (Photo: Audi Canada)

only. Regular A8 and A8L models, regardless of their powertrain configuration, continued with the much more handsome separated-grille appearance, at least in my opinion. Discounting the low-volume, European-only A2 and A3, only the soon to be replaced allroad and TT, as well as the A4 Cabriolet have escaped the update. Given time, the Dr. Werner Man treatment (the German plastic surgeon that performed Michael Jackson's latest nose job) will transform the look of all Audis.